Fourth Distribution Center?

#MiddleburyCT #DistributionCenter

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

Nicholas W. Stuller, president of Save Historic Middlebury (SHM) shared news of a possible fourth distribution center in Middlebury in his January 16, 2026, weekly update to SHM supporters. It would be where Chemtura was located, on the east side of Route 188 south of I-84’s exit 16.

The conceptualized arrangement of buildings that would be built on 255 acres of land in Middlebury (Brochure photo)

CBRE, the company handling the sale of the former Chemtura property has created a “conceptualized” plan for a distribution center on the property. It has a 1,270,000 sq. ft. building along with other buildings, the larger two of which are 320,000 sq. ft. and 100,000 sq., respectively. View the renderings by going here and then clicking on “Middlebury Oxford Offering Brochure” under “Attachments.”

Middlebury’s 255 acres abuts a 285-acre piece in Oxford, and apparently there is potential for those two pieces and 80 acres in Southbury to be incorporated into one large development. Middlebury First Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr said the property owner (Olymbec) and real estate agent paid her a courtesy call to let her know the property was for sale.

On January 29, 2026, Mahr met with first selectmen from Oxford and Southbury to discuss what the towns might do with the property. She said the three had a “really nice conversation.” “The topic was something that would benefit the towns’ residents,” she said. “We discussed leveraging our resources to do something out of the box.”

Mahr said they considered what the towns need. “We have homework to do and then we will come together,” she said.